Some of the top players in Southern California contribute to their teams on both sides of the ball, and we highlight the top two-way players in the region.
While nearly every top college prospect is recruited at one specific position, many players play both ways in high school before having to narrow their focus in college. Many of the teams won CIF championships last season got major contributions from their star players on both sides of the ball.
Breaking Down the Top Two-Way Players in Southern California
POSITION PREVIEWS: OL | DL | DBs | WRs | RBs | LBs | 2027 QBs | 2028 QBs
Here are some of the top two-way players in Southern California heading into the 2026 season.
Honor Fa’alave-Johnson
High School: Cathedral Catholic
Commitment: USC
Breakdown: Honor Faalave-Johnson ran for 1,265 yards with 21 touchdowns and had 564 yards receiving with 7 touchdowns last season. Defensively, he had 38 tackles, a forced fumble and 2 interceptions. He was recruited by USC as a safety but he is also the best running back in the state.
Gaige Weddle
High School: Rancho Bernardo
Top Offers: Ohio State, Georgia, Oregon, Texas A&M
Breakdown: Gaige Weddle had 101 tackles, 2 forced fumbles and 2 interceptions for Rancho Bernardo last season. As a quarterback, he threw for 185 yards per game with 19 touchdowns and his team with 679 yards with 10 touchdowns. Weddle is the son of former NFL star Eric Weddle and is being recruited as a safety.
Isaiah Phelps
High School: Pacifica (Oxnard)
Commitment: San Diego State
Breakdown: Isaiah Phelps led the state with 232 tackles, 23 for a loss, 4 sacks, 2 forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. He also ran for 979 yards with 11 touchdowns but was recruited as a linebacker.
Elyjah Staples
High School: Marquez
Commitment: Cal
Breakdown: Elyjah Staples had 95 tackles, 19 for a loss, 9 sacks, 53 hurries, an interception with 3 forced fumbles last season. He was the linebacker MVP at the Under Armour Next Camp regional stop in Los Angeles this spring.
Jaxson Rex
High School: San Clemente
Commitment: BYU
Breakdown: Jaxson Rex had 68 tackles, a forced fumble and 5 interceptions on defense while leading San Clemente in receiving with 856 yards and 10 touchdowns. He is being recruited on defense and will be the latest of several players from the Rex families to play at BYU.
Paisios Polamalu
High School: St. Augustine
Commitment: Stanford
Breakdown: Paisios Polamalu ran for 1,530 yards with 19 touchdowns and had 3 receiving touchdowns for St. Augustine. Defensively, Polamalu led St. Augustine with 108 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, 2 blocked field goals and 6 interceptions. He is the son of NFL Hall of Famer Troy Polamalu and will be headed to Stanford for college.
Damani Porras
High School: Downey
Commitment: New Mexico
Breakdown: Damani Porras caught 56 passes for 1129 yards with 13 touchdowns for Downey this season. He also returned four interceptions for touchdowns on defense and is committed to New Mexico as a receiver.
Luke Frith
High School: San Juan Hills
Commitment: Texas State
Breakdown: Luke Frith caught 54 passes for 1048 yards with 13 touchdowns for San Juan Hills last season and had 50 tackles with an interception on defense. He earned All-County honors from the Orange County Register and is a three-year starter for the Stallions.
Brady Stringham
High School: Laguna Beach
Commitment: Air Force
Breakdown: Brady Stringham led Laguna Beach in receiving last season with 1063 yards on 55 catches with 17 touchdowns and had a blocked field goal with 3 interceptions on defense. He will make the move to play at Air Force next season.
Isaiah Trujillo
High School: Yorba Linda
Breakdown: Isaiah Trujillo was the Bravo League MVP last season as a sophomore for Yorba Linda. As a running back, Trujillo tallied 13 rushing touchdowns and two receiving touchdowns. Defensively, he had 63 tackles, 1.5 sacks, a blocked field goal, a forced fumble and 3 interceptions.
Kevika Mata’utia-Martinez
High School: La Habra
Breakdown: Kevika Mata’utia-Martinez ran for 1,436 yards with 13 touchdowns last season for La Habra and helped lead the Highlanders to a CIF championship. As a linebacker, he had 71 tackles, 8.5 for a loss, a forced fumble and 3 fumble recoveries.
